Michigan Compiled Laws, Chapter 280. Drain Code of 1956 § 280.513

Sec. 513. (1) Before filing a petition under this section, the legislative body of a public corporation shall first determine whether the drain project contemplated may necessitate the levy of a special assessment, fee, or charge under section 539.  1 If the legislative body determines that a special assessment, fee, or charge may be made under section 539, before filing a petition under this section, the legislative body shall proceed as prescribed in section 538a.  2

(2) If it is necessary for the public health to locate, establish, and construct an intercounty drain, a petition for that purpose may be filed with the director of the department of agriculture signed by 2 or more public corporations which will be subject to assessments to pay the cost of the drain. The petition shall state that it is filed pursuant to this chapter and shall describe the location and route of the proposed drain sufficiently to determine with reasonable certainty the areas to be serviced by the drain.

(3) Not more than 20 days after the petition is filed, the director of the department of agriculture shall notify all public corporations in which any of the areas to be drained are located, as described in the petition, that a petition has been filed which may affect drainage in the public corporation.

(4) A certified copy of the resolution of the governing body of each signer authorizing the affixing of the signature of the governing body to the petition shall be attached to the petition. The petition may be filed in more than 1 counterpart. For a petition filed by a county, the county board of commissioners shall authorize the execution, and for a petition filed by the state, the state transportation commission shall authorize the execution of the petition. As provided in section 423,  3 an order of determination of the water resources commission shall also serve as a petition made pursuant to this chapter.